AIPWA organised a state-wide protest in Uttar Pradesh on 17 May against the anti-worker anti-woman Yogi government for increasing the working hours from 8 to 12 hours; snatching away trade union rights; difficulties faced by women workers; and huge scale retrenchments. The Yogi government’s insensitivity towards migrant workers including pregnant women returning home under inhuman conditions is shameful and condemnable. AIPWA also condemned the Yogi government for increased violence against women after arbitrary opening of liquor shops for greater profit. State-wide protests took place on this day at all places in the state including Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Mathura, Sitapur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Gazipur, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Bhadohi and Azamgarh.
The following demands were raised during the protests:
- Guarantee MNREGA work for everybody who wants to work, with Rs 500 as minimum wage
- Guarantee 50% reservation for women in MNREGA
- Remove liquor shops from dense Bastis; take administrative measures to curb domestic violence against women due to alcoholism
- Arrangements for distribution of rations, masks and sanitizers through Public Distribution System (PDS) to fight against pandemic for all.
- Increase free testing at government expense in every Mohalla to combat COVID-19 and form Panchayat level Medical Task Forces in all places.
